New SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199 Movie Tie-In Album

Author: Tim Eldred, Cosmo DNA Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: yamato2199.net

World-famous violinist Taro Hakase has participated in the theme song for the anime movie SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199: THE STAR-VOYAGING ARK (???????2199 ?????, Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 Hoshi Meguru Hakobune), which will be released December 6th. The film is based on the 2012 television series, and is a completely new story in the hit SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199 franchise. SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199: A VOYAGE TO REMEMBER (???????2199 ?????, Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 Tsuioku no Kokai) was released in theaters on October 11th, a special compilation of YAMATO 2199 episodes 1-7 told from a new perspective. In addition to Taro Hakase`s contribution to the main theme for THE STAR-VOYAGING ARK, the music label HATS -- for which Hakase acts as General Music Director -- will release a cover album of YAMATO music. Entitled SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199 40TH ANNIVERSARY BEST TRACK IMAGE ALBUM, the CD goes on sale on December 3rd. Participating artists include Taro Hakase (violin), Hiroki Kashiwagi (cello), Iwao Furusawa (violin), Yukie Nishimura (piano), Weiwei Wu (Erhu), Chisako Takashima (violin), and Yuji Toriyama (guitar), with guest artists Takefumi Haketa (piano) and Norie Suzuki (vocal). The arrangement is by Takefumi Haketa, Yuji Toriyama and Hiroki Kashiwagi. As a bonus, purchasers of the 40TH ANNIVERSARY BEST TRACK IMAGE ALBUM will be able to access a HATS Special Edition of the internet radio program YRA RADIO YAMATO, featuring YAMATO 2199 voice actresses Aya Uchida (Yuria Misaki) and Eriko Nakamura (Mikage Kiryu). The episode will stream until May 31, 2015.

Violinist Taro Hakase. Photo courtesy of Shochiku.

"When I heard about this for the first time, I couldn`t believe it," Taro Hakase enthused. "Who would have thought I`d play the strong image of this song on violin! I was surprised, and excited at the same time that I can play the melody of YAMATO that mesmerized me as a child." "I really consider it an honor. At my age, I have to think of each and every one of the jobs I`ve done in my life as linked together, leading to this, so I`m really happy about it." Hakase also discussed his musical approach to the 40TH ANNIVERSARY BEST TRACK IMAGE ALBUM. "Despite having an old image, I absolutely want to make a sound that hasn`t been done yet. It`s very nostalgic, but when I hear it it`s exciting. Therefore, it also has a feeling of contemporary beat and rhythm, and when it`s put together with Akira Miyagawa`s deep view of the world of YAMATO, everything follows. In order to play the melody on one violin within the gorgeous orchestration, the challenge is to compete with the orchestra for `an intimate sound`. Also, because the image of the song is strongly associated with a singing voice, the scales attached to the lyrics are really tough. This is some serious music. (Laughs)" SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199 producer Shoji Nishizaki noted that, "I was more impressed with the finished sound than I expected. I`ll be very happy if the fans of the old days and those who became fans with 2199 can all enjoy it." SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199 40TH ANNIVERSARY BEST TRACK IMAGE ALBUM ???????2199 40th Anniversary ???????????????, Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 40th Anniversary Besuto Torakku Imeeji Arubamu Release Date: December 3, 2014 Price: ¥3,240 (tax included) Catalog No.: HUCD-10172 Music: Hiroshi Miyagawa (except track 13 by Katsuo Ono) Track List 01. Space Battleship Yamato 2199 (Taro Hakase, Akira Miyagawa, Takefumi Haketa) 02. Overture (Takefumi Haketa) 03. Birth (Yuji Toriyama, Takefumi Hakata) 04. Scarlet Scarf (Nori Suzuki, Hirko Kashiwagi, Takefumi Haketa) 05. Iscandar (Hiroki Kashiwagi) 06. Hope to Tomorrow (Chisako Takashima) 07. Sasha (Yuji Toriyama) 08. White Comet (Takefumi Haketa) 09. Hero`s Hill (Weiwei Wu, Hiroki Kashiwagi) 10. Thoughtful People (Memories) (Iwao Furusawa) 11. Dessler the Rival (Takefumi Haketa) 12. Great Love (Yukie Nishimura, Weiwei Wu, Hiroki Kashiwagi) 13. From Yamato with Love (Yukie Nishimura, Yuji Toriyama) Licensed by Voyager Music Publishing Co., Ltd. © 2014 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Production Committee

For more information on SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: